US Translucent Energy Launches 1.2GW Module Factory

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Translucent Energy has officially launched its 1.2 GW solar module assembly plant in Summerville, South Carolina, with an initial phase investment of $15.6 million, expected to bring 167 local jobs.

The company's Chief Technology Officer, Dr. Nabih Cherradi, is currently overseeing the acceptance of factory equipment, with the relevant assembly equipment still undergoing factory acceptance testing at the manufacturer's site. According to the company's statement to pv magazine USA, the equipment will be shipped to Summerville in October after testing is completed, with commercial shipments commencing in December. The target is to deliver 600 MW to 800 MW of modules in the first full year, while accelerating shift schedules to capture market demand driven by Section 232 tariffs.

The plant's initial product line utilizes N-type cell technology and covers three size categories. Utility-scale products feature the G12 (210 mm) format, with output power ranging from 710 W to 730 W and a maximum efficiency of 23.5%; commercial and industrial (C&I) products use G12R (182×210 mm) rectangular cells, with power ranging from 630 W to 650 W and a maximum efficiency of 24.06%; residential products adopt a compact G12R layout, with power ranging from 450 W to 470 W and a maximum efficiency of 23.53%.

The company states that initial products will primarily use N-type cells, but the new production line equipment can handle three wafer sizes—M10 (182 mm), G12R, and G12—with technical compatibility covering N-type, heterojunction (HJT), and PERC cell designs.

To help project owners meet the domestic content incentive threshold under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Translucent Energy's supply chain is primarily based on U.S.-made modules, with secondary procurement from Turkey. This dual-sourcing strategy aims to enhance supply chain resilience and reduce dependence on trade-restricted Southeast Asian procurement channels.

The 281,000-square-foot Summerville facility is seen by the company as the first step in a broader multi-year domestic manufacturing roadmap. Managing Director Augustus Rylands stated that subsequent plans will point toward U.S.-based cell and wafer production.